Rowing: Sullivan's future uncertain after elite snub over form

An Olympic champion two years ago, now Joseph Sullivan's form isn't good enough to make the national elite squad for this year.

After the London Olympic double scull gold medallist was omitted at the same time last year it raises the question of where, or if, his future lies in the sport.

Four scullers, Michael Arms, Robbie and Karl Manson and HB product Giacomo Thomas, will train for the double sculling seats, to be determined on June 1.

Rowing New Zealand's high performance boss Alan Cotter said no thought had been given to enlarging that quartet to five to offer a lifeline to Sullivan.

"His form is not up to what it was in London and the other athletes are just a little bit ahead of him," Cotter said last night. "It's up to Joe to make a decision that he's fully committed to the programme. We are open and all the support is here for him."

Twenty-four athletes in 10 Olympic class boats have been named to contest the second and third world cups and the world champs in Amsterdam in August.

Fourteen will contest the opening world cup in Sydney which starts on March 28.